The Complete Handbook of Hole Saws

Finally, a book that treats hole saws like engineering tools instead of disposable gadgets. The chapter on chip ejection mechanics alone has saved me from ruining three sheets of plywood this week. I've been an electrician for 15 years and thought I knew it all, but the speed and feed recommendations for different metal thicknesses are gold. This is going on my shop shelf right next to my code book.

It's a solid, informative read, and I can't argue with the technical accuracy. The sections on bi-metal versus carbide are clear and helpful. But I was hoping for more depth on the specific brands and their exact production tolerances, and that part felt a bit too general. The troubleshooting guide is good, but I've seen most of that advice on forums already. It's a decent reference, but I'm not sure it's the definitive handbook the title promises.

As a hobbyist building furniture, I was always intimidated by cutting clean holes in metal for hardware. This book walked me through the entire process, from picking the right pilot drill to setting up my drill press correctly. The concrete examples, like what happens when you run a bi-metal saw through aluminum too fast, really stuck with me. I bought this for the selection guide, but the installation chapter has been just as valuable. Worth every penny.

I'm a plumber, so I cut a lot of holes in wood and plastic but very little in metal. Chapters 3 and 4 were written with pros like me in mind. The instruction on using a backup block to prevent blowout was a simple tip that now saves me time on every job. I took off a star because the writing can be a bit dry, and the business opportunities chapter didn't apply much to my solo operation. But it's a damn good, practical book.

This is the book I wish I had when I started my remodeling business. The chapter on maintaining and sharpening saws is brilliant—the cost breakdown on when to sharpen versus when to replace a core was an eye-opener. I feel less like I'm guessing when I buy now, and more like I have a formula for how many cuts I'll get per cor. Ive already adjusted my tool inventory based on the advice here. A must-have for any serious contractor.

I run a small fabrication shop, and this has completely changed how we handle our portable drill work. We had chronic issues with saws wandering on stainless steel, and just by understanding the mechanics of the pilot bit and using the recommended speeds, it's a non-issue. The comparison of different arbor systems was also more thorough than any manufacturer spec sheet I've seen. It is a real reference, and it's already getting dog-eared. Highly recommended.

A very well-researched book that gets into the weeds in the right places. The specifics on TCT (tungsten carbide tipped) saws for masonry and their limitations versus diamond grit was exactly what I needed to order the right tooling for a large job. My only minor gripe is that there could have been a few more diagrams in the usage chapter; the text descriptions are good but a picture of the drilling angle would help. Otherwise, it's a highly useful reference for any serious professional.